Canada-Norway Arctic Cooperation, Ukraine-U.S. New York Meeting and ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment Protocol

Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Jonas Gahr Støre met in Ottawa on September 20 and issued a joint statement spanning Arctic security, defence, Ukraine, industrial cooperation, space, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. Canada and Norway said they are establishing a bilateral Arctic Dialogue, while Canada’s participation in the German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine cooperation is intended to support deeper military, industrial and technological ties.

The leaders also recorded several concrete cooperation instruments. The Canadian Space Agency and Norwegian Space Agency finalized a memorandum on space-based and dual-use capabilities, and the Geological Survey of Canada and Geological Survey of Norway agreed to work together on joint critical-minerals mapping and the exchange of geoscientific expertise, with the stated aim of supporting future project pipelines and shared supply chains.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 20 and that the two leaders agreed to meet in New York. The Ukrainian presidency described the peace track as its first priority and said the call covered ideas for de-escalation and fundamental security questions.

The Ukrainian account identified energy security, food security and the protection of human life among those questions. It also linked the planned leaders’ meeting to continuing work between the Ukrainian and U.S. teams.

ASEAN and Hong Kong signed the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement in Manila on September 20. Hong Kong’s government said the protocol incorporates schedules of reservations that give effect to the agreement’s National Treatment and Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment provisions, establishing non-discriminatory treatment subject to stated reservations.

The signing took place alongside the 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers-Hong Kong, China Consultation. ASEAN described the protocol as a step toward a more transparent and predictable investment environment, while Hong Kong said the parties would continue working toward early implementation.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a September 20 statement condemning attacks it attributed to the Houthi group, including what it described as the targeting of Riyadh with a ballistic missile and attempted targeting of civilians and civilian assets in Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu.

Doha expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said Saudi security forms an integral part of Qatar’s own security and the collective security of Gulf Cooperation Council states.

At the Global Africa Business Initiative on the margins of the UN General Assembly on September 20, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Dorothy Mataboge set out an energy agenda linked to Agenda 2063 and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa.

The AU statement emphasized reliable energy for investment and job creation, renewable energy and energy security, improved access, cross-border infrastructure and trade, and cooperation among governments, private-sector participants and international partners to mobilize resources and expertise.

The UK Prime Minister spoke with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on September 20. According to Downing Street, the leaders discussed the forthcoming signing of a new deal between the United States, Greenland and Denmark intended to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

The UK readout said the two leaders welcomed U.S. commitment to the region and underlined the strategic importance of the High North for Euro-Atlantic security. Their call also covered Ukraine and forthcoming meetings around the UN General Assembly.